2022 -- S 2531

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LC005076

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS – SOLICITATION BY CHARITABLE

ORGANIZATIONS

     

     Introduced By: Senators DiMario, Lawson, Sosnowski, Anderson, Valverde, Kallman,
and Cano

     Date Introduced: March 01, 2022

     Referred To: Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Chapter 5-53.1 of the General Laws entitled "Solicitation by Charitable

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Organizations" is hereby amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     5-53.1-19. Feminine hygiene product donation.

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     (a) Any good faith donor of an apparently usable feminine hygiene product to a bona fide

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charitable or nonprofit organization for free distribution to persons in need of the product is not

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subject to criminal penalty for violation of unfair trade practice laws or civil damages arising from

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the nature, age, packaging, or condition of an apparently usable feminine hygiene product.

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     (b) A bone fide charitable or nonprofit organization that in good faith receives an

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apparently usable feminine hygiene product and distributes the product to persons in need is not

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subject to criminal penalty for violation of unfair trade practice laws or civil damages arising from

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the nature, age, packaging, or condition of an apparently usable feminine hygiene product.

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     (c) Subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply when a good faith donor or bona

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fide charitable or nonprofit organization’s actions constitute gross negligence or intentional

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misconduct that results in injury or death to a person who uses the apparently usable feminine

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hygiene product.

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     (d) As used in this section:

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     (1) “Apparently usable” means that a product meets all quality and labeling standards

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imposed by federal and state laws and regulations even if the product may not be readily

 

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marketable.

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     (2) “Bona fide charitable or nonprofit organization” has the same meaning as “charitable

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organization” as set forth in § 5-53.1-1.

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     (3) “Feminine hygiene product” means a product used for a female’s menstruation or other

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genital-tract secretions, inclusive of tampons and sanitary napkins.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS – SOLICITATION BY CHARITABLE

ORGANIZATIONS

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     This act would allow feminine hygiene products to be donated by businesses to nonprofit

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charities.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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